Man broke into ex-partner's house in Dungannon to have a bath and stayed two days

Appearing to be sentenced via video link from HMP Maghaberry was 48-year-old Jerzy Matlak.

The court heard how he was discovered outside his ex-partner’s home in Beechvalley in the late afternoon of February 25.

He was banging on the door of the house and shouting loudly. Police assessed that he was under the influence and explained that he was not welcome there and had to be handcuffed due to his disorderly behaviour.

He was subsequently bailed on this charge but on March 27 police received a call about a burglary at the same address.

A landlord had called at the house to pick up £150 rent which had been left in the house, but discovered a broken rear window, the money gone and graffiti drawn on the walls.

Matlak was interviewed and told police that, knowing his former partner to be absent, he had broken in to have a bath. He said that he had been there for two days and had taken the money. He also admitted to having left the message on the wall.

“This was a significant domestic incident,” said District Judge John Meehan. “It is the classic situation that at the end of a relationship this man still felt that he had some claim over a partner ... entitling him the right to attend her home.

“She leaves out £150 for the landlord to collect ... and while on bail already for his distorted attitudes ... he actively breaks in, steals money and then goes further to violate her house with messages to her.”

Judge Meehan handed down prison sentences totalling nine months as well as an offender’s levy of £25.

“This was a high level of domestic violence ... and there is a worrisome lack of insight on his part,” Judge Meehan concluded.